Dr Ravtej Singh Thatti

About

After having completed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership in collaboration with Argentium Ltd UK in Surface Chemistry, I then went on to complete a PhD in Organic Chemistry in 2016 at Kingston University. During the PhD the synthesis and characterisation of thiophene based dendrimers used for encapsulation was investigated. The versatility of these dendrimers and their properties to be used as labels for antibody diagnostic reagents further sparked my interest in exploring research opportunities in industry. 

Throughout my 5 years in industry I gained expertise in the research and development of bioconjugate synthesis and purification, ranging from labelling of antibodies with UV active/fluorescent probes, drugs, dendrimers/macromolecules/polymers, latex and polystyrene beads or other proteins to immunogen synthesis. This, in combination with my background in organic/material chemistry, led to an interest in the synthesis or modification of small molecules, e.g. drugs for antibody drug conjugates (ADC), UV active labels for detection and larger molecules, e.g. dendrimers, amino-dextran for either carrier or scaffold structures attached to antibodies for use in the pharmaceutical industry.  

I was appointed as a lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science in 2020 and have lead on designing modules with up to date knowledge in the area of bioconjugation. I bridge the gap between research and industry through embedding "Future Skills" of working in ISO9001/13485 accredited laboratories in modules delivered to postgraduate and undergraduate students.  My research expertise lies within bioconjugation and organic chemistry.

Academic responsibilities

Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science

Qualifications

  • PhD - Organic Chemistry
  • MSc by Research - Polymer Chemistry
  • PGCert - Pharmaceutical Science
  • BSc (Hons) - Pharmaceutical Science

Teaching and learning

  • Having completed the FHEA has enabled me to critically reflect on the challenges and subsequent opportunities that can be created for students.
  • Module leader for Analytical Science
  • Personal Tutor for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students
  • Summer Student Internship supervisor
  • Industry collaborated undergraduate and Postgraduate project supervsior

Qualifications and expertise

  • FHEA

Undergraduate courses taught

Research

After obtaining my PhD in organic/materials chemistry, titled "The Synthesis and Properties of Phenyl-Cored Thiophene Dendrimers" I quickly gained the position of Senior Chemist in a biotechnology company. Where I utilised my undergraduate biological experience and research expertise in the synthesis of organic/macromolecule compounds to aid in the development of bioconjugates for antibody drug conjugates (ADC), anti-drug antibodies (ADA) and in-vitro diagnostics, e.g. lateral flow assay development, for a wide range of pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical research.

Publications

  • Matteo Zecchini, Robert Lucas, Cameron Robertson, Tomris Coban, Ravtej Thatti, Adam Le Gresley, (2022), Investigation of the formation of squalene oligomers as a result of UV light exposure as a potential model for changes to exposed squalene in skin, Molecules (Submitted)
  • Banyard, Alana, Skobeeva, Svetlana, Thatti, Baljit, Rooney, Brian, Fletcher, John and Thatti, Ravtej (2022) Near-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics to classify cosmetic foundations from a crime scene. Science & Justice, ISSN (print) 1355-0306 (Epub Ahead of Print)
  • Ghatora, Baljit K., Foot, Peter J.S., Barton, Stephen J., Thatti, Ravtej S., Papagni, Antonio and Vaghi, Luca (2017) Surface perfluoroalkyl chains segregation : a tool for reducing calcium deposits in medical grade poly(methyl methacrylate). Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology, 8, pp. 176-187. ISSN (print) 2158-7027

Areas of specialism

  • Bioconjugation
  • Dendrimers
  • Organic/Materials Chemistry

Research student supervision

Main supervision

Other supervision

Professional practice, knowledge exchange and impact

Professional and scholarly affiliations

  • Royal Society of Chemistry

Leadership and management

  • Manager of Organic Chemistry & Materials Postgraduate Research Laboratory
  • Health and Safety Academic Representative for Chemistry Research Laboratories